  | Iran, (Persian: ايران, Īrān; pronunciation: [iːˈɾɒn]), officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ايران, transliteration: Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān), formerly known internationally as Persia, is a Southwest Asian country located in the geographical territories of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus. The 18th largest country in the world, Iran is approximately the size of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany combined and has a population of over 70 million people. Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and Turkey and Iraq to the west. In addition, it borders the Persian Gulf, an important oil-producing area, and the Caspian sea. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion and Persian the official language. The political system of Iran comprises several intricately connected governing bodies and is based on the 1979 Constitution. The highest state authority is the Supreme Leader, currently served by Ali Khamenei. Iran has one of the oldest histories in the world, extending nearly 6,000 years, and throughout history, Iran has been of geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia. Iran is a founding member of the UN, NAM, OIC, OPEC, and ECO. Iran as a regional power occupies an important position in the world economy due to its substantial reserves of petroleum and natural gas, and has considerable regional influence in Southwest Asia. Iran is also one of the few states that comprise the cradle of civilization. The name Iran is a cognate of Aryan and literally means "Land of the Aryans." The Iranian peoples (Old Iranian: Arya, Middle Iranian: Eran, Modern Iranian languages: Modern Persian: Iraniyan or Irani-ha, Kurdish: Êraniyekan or gelên Êranî) are a collection of ethnic groups defined by their usage of Iranian languages and their descent from ancient Iranian peoples. The Iranian peoples live chiefly in the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of the South Asia, though speakers of Iranian languages were once found throughout Eurasia, from the Balkans to western China. As Iranian peoples are not confined to the borders of the current state of Iran, the term Iranic peoples is sometimes used to avoid confusion with the citizens of Iran. The Iranian peoples have played an important role throughout history: the Achaemenid Persians established one of the world's first multi-national states and the Scythian-Sarmatian nomads dominated the vast expanses of Russia and western Siberia for centuries with a group of Sarmatian warrior women possibly being the inspiration for the Greek legend of the Amazons. In addition, the various religions of the Iranian peoples, including Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, are believed by some scholars to be important early philosophical influences on Judeo-Christianity. Early Iranian tribes were the ancestors of many peoples, including the Persians, Kurds, Pashtuns and many other smaller groups. The southern Iranian peoples survived Alexander the Great's conquests, Muslim Arab attempts at cultural dominance and devastating assaults by the Mongols, whereas the Iranians of the north were largely assimilated by the Slavs and other European peoples.  Iran's population reached 70 million in 2006. More than two-thirds of the Iranians are under the age of 30, and the literacy rate stands above 80%.  This is just a start of the 'Iranian Wikiportal. Much remains to be done. Please pitch-in! See also:
| “ | بنی آدم اعضای یک پیکرند که در آفرينش ز یک گوهرند
چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار دگر عضوها را نماند قرار
تو کز محنت دیگران بی غمی نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی
Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.
Saadi | ” | - ... that the word Iran means 'The Land of the Aryans'?
- ... that the Behistun Inscription is Old Persian's equivalent of the Rosetta Stone?
- ... that Mashhad is the second largest holy city in the world and Imam Reza shrine is visited by over than 20 million pilgrims every year?
- ... that Astan Quds Razavi is considered as the most long-lasting organization which exists since about 1200 years ago?
- ... that the oldest traces of wine found in Iran date to over 7000 years ago?
- ... that the first Iranian empire, that of the Medes, was established over 3000 years ago?
- ... that the Persian language is one of the oldest languages in continuous use?
- ... that the notions of heaven and hell are already alluded to in the teachings of Zarathustra?
- ... that several world religions - including Zoroastrianism and the Bahá'í Faith - originated in Iran?
- ... that Persians first dug up the Suez canal?
- ... that ice cream was likely invented in Iran?
- ... that the peach, pomegranate and pistachio were first cultivated in Iran?
- ... that the first known electric battery was invented by the Parthians, an Iranian people?
- ... that the words cheque, caviar, caravan, tulip, algorithm, chess, checkmate, jasmine, Navy, Paradise and pajamas all have a Persian language roots?
- ... that the Milad tower in Tehran is the 12th tallest freestanding structure in the world and held the title as the tallest tower in the Middle East until the Burj Dubai passed it?
- ... that Iran is home to the biggest Jewish population in Asia (outside Israel), and there are reserved seats for Christian and Jewish MPs in the Iranian parliament?
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